Senior Outreach Worker

Central Recruitment is currently working with a local authority dedicated to preventing people from becoming homeless and supporting individuals in finding long-term, affordable and sustainable housing.

Our client is currently recruiting for a Senior Outreach Worker, to work in the Redbridge area at a street-based outreach service providing support and assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness.

• 37.5 hours per week
• Monday - Friday
• Hours: 06:00 - 14:30
• Temporary: approx. 2 months
• £18.41 per hour (£16.43 per hour, with £1.98 holiday pay)

This is a fantastic opportunity to make an impact in the lives of adults with a history of homelessness.

Please note: this is an outreach working role and involves travelling across the borough of Redbridge supporting clients in the community. You must be able and willing to travel at times when public transport may not be readily available.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plan and organise street outreach shifts, based on referrals and mapping information received to identify and verify rough sleepers
• Deliver initial street-based assessments to new rough sleepers and follow-up casework to existing rough sleepers
• Support rough sleepers by ensuring that referrals are made to relevant services and accommodation through the Pathway
• Plan and organise annual street counts, conduct local mapping of hotspot areas, and compile data on the rough sleeper population
• Plan shifts to enable attendance at planned meetings (with advance notice), and liaison with support agencies
• Support clients to access accommodation, health services, day centres, housing advice services, and all other relevant support
• Work alongside the Team manager to lead on any crisis intervention work for complex cases
• Develop partnership working with a range of local and regional organisations
• Contribute to service development in line with local and government strategies, such as No Second Night Out
• Work with partners on outreach-focused initiatives such as local cold weather shelters and provisions, and annual street counts
• Work with agencies to support voluntary return where this is the most appropriate Single Service Offer, and Immigration Enforcement where needed
• Work alongside the Service Manager to monitor the service's expenditure and oversee volunteer expenses and timesheets

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

• Experience of working with rough sleepers
• Knowledge of immigration and benefit entitlement issues, including both EEA and non-EEA clients
• An understanding of quality customer-focused service principles, and proven ability to empower service users
• Awareness of London-based and national agencies, rough sleeper initiatives, and single service offer approach
• Understanding of barriers faced by rough sleepers and available support services, as well as planned support principles and working with vulnerable people
• The ability to work under pressure, and effective schedule management
• The ability to dynamically risk-assess situations, use IT applications, and produce reports
• The ability to work in a multiagency framework and coordinate the response of partner agencies
• Flexibility to work early mornings to better identify and engage individuals rough sleeping

FURTHER REQUIREMENTS:

In order to register with Central Recruitment Services for temporary agency work, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Current valid right to work in the UK
• Minimum 12 months’ of paid experience in a front line social care role within the last 3 years* (unless recruitment criteria states otherwise)
• A fully enhanced DBS either registered on the DBS update service or issued within the last 12 months, or willingness to apply for one through Central (at a cost of £60)
• Employment or education history to cover the last 5 years which can be verified through the referencing process

HOW TO APPLY:

If you feel that you fully meet the above outlined criteria for this role and would like apply for this post, please forward your CV for consideration.

*Please note the outlined experience is the 'minimum' first stage criteria, and we will therefore be unable to consider your application unless you are able to demonstrate a relevant work history in line with this position.